Bethany was born in August 2001 to proud parents Treena and Kevin, and an excited brother Ryan.

It was noted that from the birth Bethany was a ‘ little floppy ‘ but virtually ignored by medical staff, but as time went on it was obvious to all that she was still ‘ very floppy ‘ and not moving as a normal healthy baby should.

After extensive tests, including MRI and then a muscle biopsy, the diagnosis was Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. There are several types of CMD and the one which Bethany has is Merison Negative. This condition means she has extremely poor muscle tone, which means she will never crawl, stand or walk.

Bethany is bright, extremely intelligent and pretty as a picture. For all she endures she copes with everything that is thrown at her, and has gone through more than most people would in a life time.

Bethany adapts to all complications admirably.

Earlier this year Bethany had the misfortune to have pneumonia and the prognosis was the of the worst possible kind. However, thankfully Bethany defied the experts and recovered after spending several days on a ventilator, followed by several more day hospitalised.

Unfortunately respiratory infections are common place with this condition and even a slight cold can cause major complications.

At this moment Bethany is doing well and is back attending her special school four mornings a week, and she loves it.

Bethany has a power chair which she handles with great expertise and enjoys the freedom it allows her. Everyone has to keep their distance of course, or wear steel toe capped shoes !!!

Bethany must have continual chest physiotherapy every day, and is linked to a Bi-Pap machine throughout the night, which pushes air into her lungs. She is also linked to a Sats machine during the night so that if her saturation levels drop alarms go off to alert Mum and Dad to the situation.

Bethany is also tube fed throughout the night to ensure she has all the nutrients she needs, as oral feeding is not very successful.

Having all this to contend with she is still a happy contented little girl.

Further news regarding Bethany will be posted on the News Update section of this web site.